Method for withdrawing menstrual fluid

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus whereby substantially all of the menstrual fluid incident to a normal monthly &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;period&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; may be removed in a small fraction of an hour. A simple plastic syringe is employed in combination with a valve to create a suction pump incapable of injecting air into the uterus. Such pump and an associated receptacle are connected to a semirigid plastic cannula having an outer diameter of about 4 mm, and such cannula is inserted through the undilated cervix. The cannula fits snugly into the cervical lumen so that the applied suction draws fluid out of the uterus. The menstrual extraction procedure is performed at the time when the normal monthly period starts, or is estimated to start.

Rothman 1 Aug. 13, 1974 METHOD FOR WITHDRAWING 1V1IEIIS'HR UAL FLUID[76] Inventor: Evelyn Lorraine Rothman, 2460 E.

Balfour Ave., Fullerton, Calif.

[22] Filed: Dec. 6, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 205,144

[52] 1.1.5. C1. .L 128/278 [51] Int. Cl A6lm 1/00 [58] Field of Search128/273278, 128/218, 221, 2 B, 350

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 986,263 3/1911 Bevill128/276 1,520,795 12/1924 Barr 128/274 2,421,959 6/1947 Norris 128/2783,230,949 1/1966 Rodriguez-Olleros 128/2 B 3,506,010 4/1970 Murr 128/2763,542,024 11/1970 Burke 128/221 3,542,031 11/1970 Taylor 128/2763,636,940 l/l972 Gravlee 128/278 3,661,144 5/1972 Jensen et a1. 128/276FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,496,026 8/1967 France 128/221 PrimaryExaminer-Charles F. Rosenbaum Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Richard L.Gausewitz [5 7 ABSTRACT A method and apparatus whereby substantially allof the menstrual fluid incident to a normal monthly period may beremoved in a small fraction of an hour. A simpleplastic syringe isemployed in combination with a valve to create a suction pump incapableof injecting air into the uterus. Such pump and an associated receptacleare connected to a semirigid plastic cannula having an outer diameter ofabout 4 mm, and such cannula is inserted through the undilated cervix.The cannula fits snugly into the cervical lumen so that the appliedsuction draws fluid out of the uterus. The menstrual extractionprocedure is performed at the time when the normal monthly periodstarts, or is estimated to start.

6 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENIEU mm 31m SHEEI 1 BF 2 PATENM we 131924 SHEET 2 [IF 2 METHOD FOR WITHDRAWING MENSTRUAL FLUID BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to thefield of methods and apparatus for taking care of monthly menstrualflow.

2. Description of Prior Art There are large numbers of absorbentproducts, containers, etc., for receiving the menstrual fluid whichflows naturally from the uterus. However, applicant is not aware of anydevice or method intended to assist such flow and substitute therefor amethod whereby the fluid is withdrawn quickly. The present method andapparatus eliminate the uncertainty, discomfort, disability, etc.,inherent in a normal period of menstruation. The elimination of suchproblems is particularly important to active women who do not wish to bebothered with a -day flow period the starting date of which isuncertain, and which at best is a messy and uncomfortable nuisance.

The following patents do not, in'the opinion of applicant, relate to thevolitional elimination of the normal menstrual flow; instead they showdevices employed for other purposes: US. Pat. Nos. 972,878; 2,419,795;2,464,933; 3,506,010; 3,527,203; and 3,542,031.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present method, theusual methods are used to estimate the onset of menstruation. On orabout the estimated date, a semirigid plastic cannula the diameter ofwhich is approximately 4 mm is introduced in the uterus. Such a cannulamay be inserted without dilation of the cervix. Suction is then applied,and the tip of the cannula is rotated and otherwise manipulated toeffect withdrawal of menstrual fluid. The procedure may cause the uterusto contract and thereby aid in the process by expelling fluid throughthe cannula.

Relative to the apparatus of the invention, a major problem related tothe provision of a suction source which is-sufficiently economical forwidespread use, yet is designed not to inject air (and possible sourcesof infection) into the uterus. The present invention employs a simpleplastic syringe, and an associated two-way check valve, as a suctionsource which is so related to the cannula that only suction and notpressure may be applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational viewillustrating the apparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of thesuction-producing device;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of the distal region of thecannula; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view illustrating various positions ofthe cannula.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED 4 EMBODIMENT:

Referring first to FIG. 1, which shows the entire apparatus, a flexibleplastic cannula is illustrated and is sufflciently long to be insertedinto the full depth of the uterus while still being manipulated by theuser. The outer diameter of the cannula is approximately 4 millimeters(mm), since this diameter permits insertion through an undilated cervixof a normal woman while still causing the wall of the cervix to engagethe cannula.

The cannula is sufflciently flexible that it is not likely to perforatethe uterus, yet sufficiently stiff that application of suction will notcollapse the cannula and defeat the process.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the distal portion of the cannula 10 has aclosed end 11 which is rounded to minimize the possibility of injury tothe uterine wall. Notches l2 and 13 are formed in opposite sides of thecannula near the closed end 11 thereof, being sufficiently deep to formopenings through which menstrual fluid may be withdrawn. The notches arelocated at different distances from end 11.

Except for the shape of the notches l2 and 13, the cannula 10 isidentical to one which may be purchased from Berkeley Bio-Engineering,,Inc., l2l5 Fourth Street, Berkely, Calif. 94710, under its part No.23139, for a 4 mm VACURETTE.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the proximal end of cannula 10 is sealinglyconnected to a flexible plastic tube 15, which may be termed a suctionline, and which extends through the rubber stopper 16 of a receptacle 17adapted to receive the menstrual fluid. A second tube or suction line 18extends through stopper 16 to a twoway check valve 19, which fonns partof a suctionproducing device next to be described.

The suction-producing device (FIG. 2) comprises a large plastic syringe21 of the disposable type frequently employed for hypodermic purposes.The syringe has a cylindrical barrel 22 in which is slidably mounted apiston 23, the piston being reciprocated manually through use of aplunger 24. In a preferred syringe, the volume of the barrel is about 50cubic centimeters.

The closed tip of barrel 22 has two coaxial tubular extensions thereon,numbered 26 and 27, the latter having a passage therethrough whichcommunicates with the interior of the barrel. The two extensions 26 and27 form an annulus therebetween in which is sealingly inserted aconnector portion of two-way check valve 19.

Check valve 19 has an outer body 28 which is formed of plastic and isintegral with the connector portion described above. A tubular sleeve 29of rubber is mounted coaxially within body 28 and has sealingly insertedin the outer end thereof one end of a flanged tube 31. A second andsmaller flexible sleeve 32 of rubber is mounted around the other end oftube 31, such other end being closed except at a radial opening 33. Aclosure or cap member 34 is snap-fitted into body 28 inradially-outwardly spaced relationship from the small sleeve 32, and hasa necked-down end 36 through which an air passage 37 is formed. Anadditional air passage, numbered 38, is formed through an integralradial fitting on body 28 and which is sealingly connected to suctionline 18, the air passage 38 terminating at the first or large-diametersleeve 29.

In the operation of the two-way check valve 19, movement of plunger 24to the right in FIG. 2 causes air to flow through suction line 18 andair passage 38 to the exterior of sleeve 29, and such air forces thesleeve inwardly so that the air flows into the body 28 and thencethrough the air passage into barrel 22. At this time, no air can enterthrough air passage 37 since any such air tends to force the smallsleeve 32 into sealing relationship over radial opening 33.

When the plunger 24 is shifted to the left in FIG. 2, the resulting airpressure in body 28 forces the large sleeve 29 into sealing relationshipwith air passage 38, so that it is impossible for air to enter thesuction line 18. Instead, the air flows through the flanged tube 31 toradial opening 33 therein, and passes through such radial opening andalong the interior surface of the small sleeve 32 to air passage 37 fordischarge to the atmosphere.

The valve 19 may be purchased from Clay Adams, a division of Becton,Dickinson and Company, Parsippany, NJ. 07054, under the trademark AdamsAupette."

DESCRIPTION OF THE METHOD On or about the date of the estimated onset ofmenstrual period, a vaginal speculum (not shown) is used to spread thevaginal walls to expose the cervix and cervical os to view. The cannulais then inserted through the cervical os 41 (FIG. 4) into the uterus 42,insertion being continued until the fundus 43 is lightly engaged. Aspreviously emphasized, the diameter of the cannula is such that there isa snug fit with the walls of the cervical lumen.

The plunger 34 of the syringe 21 is then reciprocated, for example aboutfive times when a syringe of the above-indicated size is employed andwhen the receptacle 17 is a size adapted to contain 8 to 16 fluidounces. The receptacle is thus substantially evacuated, there being nopossibility (due to the presence of twoway check valve 19) of injectingair into the receptacle and thus into the cannula.

Because of the relationship between the cannula and the walls of theuterus, the suction pulls the menstrual fluid through the cannula andthe suction tube and thus into receptacle 17.

During the procedure, the outer end of the cannula 10 is manuallymanipulated in order to cause the tip of the cannula to move to allportions of the fundus 43. Stated otherwise, the tip is rotated andorbited (with varying diameters) as necessary to achieve the statedpurpose.

Toward the end of the procedure, the cannula is slowly partiallywithdrawn and the tip is orbited until it engages various portions ofthe wall of the uterus nearer and nearer the cervix. Finally, thecannula is fully withdrawn and the procedure terminated.

The entire procedure is performed'using disposable plastic sterilegloves, a chemically sterilized cannula, a plastic speculum, etc.Furthermore,the cannula is not allowed to touch the wall of the vaginaduring The position of the uterus is determined prior to commencement ofthe procedure, to make sure that the cannula is inserted and manipulatedin the proper manner.

The foregoing detailed description is to be clearly understood as givenby way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of thisinvention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A method of taking care of the menstrual requirements of awoman, which comprises:

determining the date on which the normal menstrual flow of a woman isdue to start or is actually startmg, providing a semirigid cannulahaving opening means near the tip thereof, the outer diameter of saidcannula being sufficiently small to permit insertion of said cannulainto the uterus of said woman without dilation of the cervix, insertingsaid cannula, on or about said date, through the undilated cervix ofsaid woman, applying suction to said cannula and simultaneously movingthe tip thereof to different positions within said uterus, andcontinuing said application of suction, and said movement, untilsubstantially all of the menstrual fluid within said uterus has passedinto said opening means and been withdrawn through said cannula,

thereby eliminating the period of menstrual flow of said woman.

2. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said method furthercomprises effecting a seal between the outer wall of said cannula andthe interior wall of said cervix, whereby the suction applied withinsaid uterus draws fluid therein only from the uterus, and also tends toeffect contraction of said uterus.

3. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said cannula isinitially inserted sufficiently far that said tip thereof is adjacent tothe fundus, and in which said movement comprises first orbiting said tipnear the fundus, and then slowly withdrawing said cannula whilecontinuing said orbiting.

4. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said method furthercomprises causing said cannula to have an outer diameter of about 4 mm.

5. The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said method furthercomprises applying said suction by connecting said cannula to a sealedreceptacle, and removing air from said receptacle by means of a suctionpump.

6. The invention as claimed in claim 5, in which said method furthercomprises employing as said suction pump a plastic syringe to which isconnected a two-way check valve, said valve being so constructed andconnected to said receptacle that movement of the plunger of saidsyringe in one direction expels air from said syringe to the ambientatmosphere but not to said receptacle, and movement of said plunger inthe opposite direction draws air from said receptacle into said syringe.

1. A method of taking care of the menstrual requirements of a woman,which comprises: determining the date on which the normal menstrual flowof a woman is due to start or is actually starting, providing asemirigid cannula having opening means near the tip thereof, the outerdiameter of said cannula being sufficiently small to permit insertion ofsaid cannula into the uterus of said woman without dilation of thecervix, inserting said cannula, on or about said date, through theundilated cervix of said woman, applying suction to said cannula andsimultaneously moving the tip thereof to different positions within saiduterus, and continuing said application of suction, and said movement,until substantially all of the menstrual fluid within said uterus haspassed into said opening means and been withdrawn through said cannula,thereby eliminating the period of menstrual flow of said woman.
 2. Theinvention as claimed in claim 1, in which said method further compriseseffecting a seal between the outer wall of said cannula and the interiorwall of said cervix, whereby the suction applied within said uterusdraws fluid therein only from the uterus, and also tends to effectcontraction of said uterus.
 3. The invention As claimed in claim 1, inwhich said cannula is initially inserted sufficiently far that said tipthereof is adjacent to the fundus, and in which said movement comprisesfirst orbiting said tip near the fundus, and then slowly withdrawingsaid cannula while continuing said orbiting.
 4. The invention as claimedin claim 1, in which said method further comprises causing said cannulato have an outer diameter of about 4 mm.
 5. The invention as claimed inclaim 1, in which said method further comprises applying said suction byconnecting said cannula to a sealed receptacle, and removing air fromsaid receptacle by means of a suction pump.
 6. The invention as claimedin claim 5, in which said method further comprises employing as saidsuction pump a plastic syringe to which is connected a two-way checkvalve, said valve being so constructed and connected to said receptaclethat movement of the plunger of said syringe in one direction expels airfrom said syringe to the ambient atmosphere but not to said receptacle,and movement of said plunger in the opposite direction draws air fromsaid receptacle into said syringe.